*Jussi Jokinen, as expected, gets his first opportunity on the left side with Evgeni Malkin and James Neal today. This is likely to be Jokinen’s best fit on the team. “Jokinen is getting the opportunity to play with Malkin and Neal,” head coach Dan Bylsma said today. “He’s a guy who’s played with very skilled players throughout his career and done very well. He’s done extremely well there, so you put people in situations where you might see them throughout the year.”

*Pascal Dupuis – Brandon Sutter – Matt D’Agostini will be an intriguing line to watch today.

*Time is running out for Harry Zolinierczyk to make a strong impression and stay in the mix for a final roster spot. The likes of Chuck Kobasew, Zach Sill, Adam Payerl and Chris Conner have outplayed Zolinierczyk so far.

*Olli Maatta will be in the lineup, appearing in his second preseason game. He’s expected to remain paired with Kris Letang.

Trade Buzz: Thursday’s 1-for-1 trade of young underperforming players saw the Minnesota Wild acquire center Victor Rask from the Carolina Hurricanes for left winger Nino Niederreiter. Carolina did an excellent job of being able to get out of the Rask contract, who has three years remaining with a $4 million cap hit. Rask has 1 goal, 5 assists on the season, mirrored in a 22-game goal drought. The logic here for Minnesota is taking the chance on a playmaking center who can help fill a top-9 spot longer term if the Wild move on from Eric Staal. Minnesota is also playing the card that a change of scenery will benefit the 24-year old who posted a career-high 21 goals, 48 points in 2015-2016.

Niederreiter’s trade value was stunted because of his contract, where he has three years left on his deal with a $5.25 million cap hit. Niederreiter is a player who is extremely hard to play against, drives possession well, and has three 20 goal seasons over his last four full seasons. Injuries (18 goals in 63 games) kept him from a 4th straight 20-goal season in 17-18. The Niederreiter acquisition also sets up as great insurance for the Hurricanes if they can’t resign Micheal Ferland. In the short-term, Carolina’s center situation is a mess with Jordan Staal sidelined with a concussion, but they’re getting the better player who fits the identity they’re trying to establish upfront, especially on the wings where they’ve identified the need for Patric Hornqvist type players.